The Effect of Comprehensive Corrective Exercises on Posture of Wushu Practi- tioners With Upper Cross Syndrome

* Corresponding Author: Parisa Sedaghati, PhD. Address: Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran. Tel: +98 (13) 33690685 E-mail: sedaghati@guilan.ac.ir 1. Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran. 2. Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran. 3. Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran. Fatah Hajizadeh1 , *Parisa Sedaghati2 , Farzaneh Saki3


Introduction
ccording to the kinesiopathological model, disorders in the locomotor system of the body start from incorrect posture and repetitive movements and can end in pathol-ogy [1]. Basically, biomechanical changes resulting from abnormal orientation can affect the force on the joint, the mechanical performance of the muscles, and the function of proprioception [2]. Because when the center of gravity of a part of the body deviates from its normal direction, a positional abnormality occurs and the body's efficiency decreases [3]. Thus, in the correct posture, muscle activity is at its lowest. Proper posture also contributes to the normal and proper functioning of internal organs, the nervous system and the respiratory system [4].
One of the causes of movement problems in the dorsal spine is muscle imbalance in the trunk and limbs and changes in the relative flexibility of the spine, which can cause permanent changes in the chest area and cause stress and defects in the movements of the upper and lower limbs. To correct these factors, it seems useful to modify the movement pattern and improve strength and balance in it [5].
Athletes in various sports to achieve high levels of performance, need to perform continuous exercises and strengthen certain muscles of the body. They have to spend a lot of time practicing in the dominant physical condition of that sport. As a result, depending on the prevailing status of each sport (for example, in boxing, wrestling, and Wushu), the physical orientation and amount of arch curves of athletes may be affected [7]. Researchers believe that during certain exercises, especially in young athletes, the body adapts to mild postural deviations that are appropriate for exercise [8]. The presence of postural abnormalities has an adverse effect on perception and body image, especially in young people and athletes [9].
Negative adaptations and structural deformities in individuals are commensurate with their skill and movement patterns [10]. Some structural changes over time may adversely affect the performance of athletes, and this is especially important in sports such as wushu, which require speed, strength, and agility. Some structural changes over time may negatively affect the performance of athletes, and this situation is very important in sports such as Wushu that require speed, strength, and agility. This causes musculoskeletal disorders and negatively affects the movement pattern and performance of athletes. As a result, athletes in these sports, who need to react quickly to opponent attacks and have neuromuscular coordination in the selection and execution of techniques, achieve poor results.
It is important to note that each athlete, depending on the type of sport he or she specializes in, can be prone to certain types of abnormalities, such as the Wushu defense guard, which is accompanied by hand movements in front of the face [11]. Accordingly, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of a selected course of corrective exercises on posture and motor function of Wushu practitioners with upper cross syndrome.

Methods
This research was a quasi-experimental research with an applied purpose. The statistical population consisted of all male Wushu practitioners with upper cross syndrome with an age range of 20-40 years in Kerman city. Thirty patients (15 in the "experimental" group and 15 in the "control" group) with a history of more than 3 years were selected as the research sample. In these subjects, the forward shoulder angle was more than 52 degrees, the kyphosis angle was more than 45 degrees, and the forward head angle was more than 48 degrees [14]. The experimental group performed selected corrective exercises for 10 weeks and three sessions per week for 20-60 minutes. Forward Head, forward shoulder and kyphosis angles were evaluated in two stages. For data analysis, paired t-test and ANCOVA were used using SPSS version 21 software at a significant level of P<0.05.

Results
The results showed that the mean angle of the head, forward shoulder, and kyphosis of the subjects decreased significantly after participating in the selected corrective exercise program (P=0.001). The table below displays the results of comparing pre-and post-test dependent t-test variables in "experimental" and "control" groups.

Discussion and Conclusion
The results of this study revealed that with 10 weeks of comprehensive corrective training in the experimental group, the forward head angle decreased from 50.07 to 44.72 degrees, and the forward shoulder angle decreased from 55.06 to 50.52 degrees, and the kyphosis angle decreased from 48.26 (in the pre-test) to 42.36 degrees. The corrective exercises in this study included strengthening the weakened muscles in this syndrome (such as deep neck flexors muscles, rhomboid muscles, middle and lower trapezius muscles), and stretching the shortened muscles (such as sternocleidomastoid muscles, upper trapezius muscles, Levator scapulae muscles, and pectoralis minor and major muscles). Attempts was made to apply the exercise program more in the closed chain of motion and more in the weightbearing state to be closer to the real-life situation [23].
Based on the results of this study, it is recommended to use the selected corrective exercise program to reduce forward head, forward shoulder, and kyphosis angles, and improve upper limb function in athletes prone to upper cross-syndrome, thus reducing those complications and improve the performance of those parts.

Compliance with ethical guidelines
All ethical principles are considered in this article. The participants were informed about the purpose of the research and its implementation stages. They were also assured about the confidentiality of their information and were free to leave the study whenever they wished, and if desired, the research results would be available to them.

Funding
This research did not receive any grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors.

Authors' contributions
All authors equally contributed to preparing this article.

Conflicts of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.